Rules
Audition Procedure
- All participants must apply via online application.
- Participants must upload the performance video recording on YouTube.
- The audition will be conducted by reviewing the videos submitted via online application.
- If participants are approved by HIMNAC judges to pass pre-screening, participants will receive an individual email announcement with instructions on how to apply to the final round.
- To advance to the final round, you must submit the final round application fee, as per the instructions in an individual email announcement.
- In the final round, your pre-submitted YouTube video will be evaluated again.
- By advancing to the final round, you will be eligible for the awards and winner’s concert.
Dates and Deadlines
- Application filing for the HIMNAC Spring 2026 opens on March 15, 2026.
- The deadline for the submission is April 30, 2026.
Fees
- Solo Participant: $210
- Chamber Music Participants: $160 per person
- Art Participants: $210 per person
Eligibility
- Ages from 5 to 30
- Solo performer and chamber ensemble
- Must be currently enrolled in school
Age Categories
A Grand Prize winner will be selected in each age category who shows the most outstanding performance, musicality, and interpretation.
- Group A: Grade K – 4
- Group B: Grade 5 – 8
- Group C: Grade 9 – 12
- Group D: College or Higher Education
Eligible Solo Instruments
- Keyboards: Piano, Harpsichord, Organ
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp, Guitar
- Woodwinds: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone
- Brass: Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
- Vocal: Classical, Musical, Opera, Folk (No jazz or pop)
- Guk-ak (국악)
Eligible Form of Chamber Ensemble
- Duet to Octet
- No electric instruments, choir, or orchestra.
Repertoire
- One substantial piece from the standard repertoire.
- A movement of a concerto or sonata could be accepted as one piece.
- For Voice: one song from opera aria, classical repertoire, folk/traditional, and musical.
- The audition piece is recommended to be about 3 minutes long and not to exceed 5 minutes.
Requirements
- Memorization is not mandatory but recommended.
- Participants must not perform simplified editions, arrangements, non-classical, or any music from method books. (Except age 6 and 7)
- Participants may perform with or without a piano accompaniment.
- All participants must NOT perform on electric instruments.
- Jury’s comments will not be disclosed and all jury’s decisions are final. An appeal is not accepted.
Recording Rules
- Participants must submit an unedited video recording except for stops between each movement.
- If any unacceptable editing is found in the video, the participant(s) will be disqualified without notification.
- Make sure the YouTube video is “Public” or “Unlisted”.
- Please include Your Name / Age / Title of the Piece / Composer in the YouTube video title.
- The video and audio recording should be filmed loud and clear enough to evaluate your performance.
- Only 1 camera angle is allowed and must be fixed. (Editing multiple cameras into 1 video is not allowed)
- Performance video must be recorded within 1 month prior to the application submission.
- Faces, instruments, and performance gestures (hands and pedals) must be clearly filmed in the video.
- It is recommended to dress up neatly and formally.